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Relative DNA content in diploid, polyploid, and multiploid species of Paspalum (Poaceae) with relation to reproductive mode and taxonomy

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Abstract

It is generally accepted that polyploids have downsized basic genomes rather than additive values with respect to their related diploids. Changes in genome size have been reported in correlation with several biological characteristics. About 75 % of around 350 species recognized for Paspalum (Poaceae) are polyploid and most polyploids are apomictic. Multiploid species are common with most of them bearing sexual diploid and apomictic tetraploid or other ploidy levels. DNA content in the embryo and the endosperm was measured by flow cytometry in a seed-by-seed analysis of 47 species including 77 different entities. The relative DNA content of the embryo informed the genome size of the accession while the embryo:endosperm ratio of DNA content revealed its reproductive mode. The genome sizes (2C-value) varied from 0.5 to 6.5 pg and for 29 species were measured for the first time. Flow cytometry provided new information on the reproductive mode for 12 species and one botanical variety and supplied new data for 10 species concerning cytotypes reported for the first time. There was no significant difference between the mean basic genome sizes (1Cx-values) of 32 sexual and 45 apomictic entities. Seventeen entities were diploid and 60 were polyploids with different degrees. There were no clear patterns of changes in 1Cx-values due to polyploidy or reproductive systems, and the existing variations are in concordance with subgeneric taxonomical grouping.

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Acknowledgments

We thank to Fritz Matzk and Timothy Sharbel for collaboration and assistance, IPK Gatersleben, Deutschland. Dr. Henry A. Fribourg, Professor Emeritus of Crop Ecology, University of Tennessee, USA, for his kind review of the manuscript for English style and grammar. This work was supported by Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina, grant PI-A008-2013; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina, grant PIP-11220080101378; Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCYT), Argentina, grant PICT2011-1802.

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  1. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste, CONICET-UNNE, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, FCA-UNNE, J.B. Cabral 2131, 3400, Corrientes, Argentina

    Florencia Galdeano, M. H. Urbani, M. E. Sartor, F. Espinoza & C. L. Quarin

  2. Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-UNaM, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, UNaM, Rivadavia 2370, 3300, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina

    A. I. Honfi

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  1. Florencia Galdeano
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Correspondence to Florencia Galdeano.

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Galdeano, F., Urbani, M.H., Sartor, M.E. et al. Relative DNA content in diploid, polyploid, and multiploid species of Paspalum (Poaceae) with relation to reproductive mode and taxonomy. J Plant Res 129, 697–710 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-016-0813-4

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